Messages Uncover Jeffrey Epstein and former Trump strategist Connection

Steve Bannon
Bannon was one of Trump's top strategists prior to resigning from the administration in 2017

In November 2018, Steve Bannon, formerly a top aide to Donald Trump, visited the UK preparing for a address at the prestigious Oxford Union.

The speech was interrupted by hundreds of demonstrators, and Bannon, who was due to travel that evening, told Jeffrey Epstein in an message: "Protesters slowed down my talk don't think I can make the flight we are heading to heathrow".

Epstein replied: "That. Is a gulf air departing at 9:50 with a stop in Bahrain". Bannon replied: "U r an amazing assistant".

These exchanges were released on this week together with more than 20,000 pages from the records of Epstein, the late convicted sex offender.

The disclosure by the House oversight committee contains an iMessage chat where Bannon's identity is withheld. Media outlets has been able to confirm his involvement by matching the timeline, events, and places referenced.

For instance, Epstein talks about arranging a jet from Scotland for the unnamed individual in the messages, and offers praise their "Oxford speech". Bannon took part in the News Xchange conference on November 14, and gave the talk at the Oxford on November 16.

Bannon, who is not accused of any misconduct, declined to comment on the request for comment.

'I'll make sure you're well looked after'

Bannon was one of the president's key advisers in the lead-up to the 2016 election and during the initial phase of his first administration, but resigned from the administration in August 2017.

He has admitted he was making a film about Epstein prior to his death and reportedly has around 15 hours of footage. In a recording of his show recently, he said: "We plan to release the film, the five-part series, next year - early next year."

But the recently disclosed documents suggest Bannon's relationship with Epstein extended than documenting his life, with the disgraced financier occasionally seeming to act like a personal assistant.

A short time prior to the conversation in which Epstein appeared to have arranged a charter jet for Bannon, Epstein remarked: "how does it feel to have the highest-paid travel agent in history ".

Bannon expressed gratitude: "U r pretty good asst", to which Epstein responded "Massages. Not Included".

Discussing a visit to "Abu Dhabi" in a separate text, Epstein told Bannon: "I will ensure you're well looked after."

UK Politics Discussed in Messages

The released messages also reveal Bannon and Epstein talking about British political matters in that year.

Earlier on the day of his speech at the Oxford, Bannon texted Epstein: "I've gotten pulled into the EU exit thing this day with Farage, Johnson and Mogg."

Then, in what seems like a reference to the UK prime minister, the struggling British leader at the period, he continued: "They are attempting to move on. May soon…"

Epstein advised Bannon: "In my view remaining as long as you can uk. Best-- so others get the commitment of your follow-up."

Soon after, Epstein inquired: "Can Theresa may remain in power". Bannon answered: "It seems unlikely BUT the guys here have little courage" and added "Johnson ; Gove; Jacob Rees-Mogg; David Davis - someone has to step up".

May was eventually removed in 2019 after surviving multiple attempts of lack of support in December 2018.

A spokesman for the political party told the BBC: "Nigel Farage has never been in a gathering with Bannon, Rees-Mogg and Johnson." And there is no evidence that encounter occurred.

The US House of Representatives will decide soon on whether the justice department should release all its files related to its probe into Epstein, who passed away in jail in 2019.

Interest in Epstein's relationships with influential individuals was renewed this week after the release of over 20,000 documents from his estate.

A portion of those referenced Trump, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The president was a acquaintance of Epstein's for a long time, but says they parted ways in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was initially charged.

Jamie Hernandez
Jamie Hernandez

A tech entrepreneur and writer with over a decade of experience in digital transformation and startup ecosystems.